This is a one-pot wonder laced with all the tastes of Calabria. Red capsicum, oregano, tomatoes, chilli and Calabrese-style sausage. It’s got everything you need for a hearty meal – chicken, vegetables and plenty of spicy flavour. This is an economic meal that is comforting, full of flavour and feeds a family. Adjust the chilli…
Meat/Seafood
Stuffed Capsicums
Sometimes nostalgia sets in and you get the urge to make something from your childhood. Meatballs are up there with nostalgia for me. Nonna’s meatballs were always the best – even though my recipe is pretty much the same as hers, they are never quite as good. I loved them, especially with a big plate…
Sticky Balsamic Chicken Wings
A big platter of sticky chicken wings makes a great addition to any table. Coated in a balsamic vinegar marinade, these chicken wings are just as easy to make as they are to eat. There’s a lot of flavour going on here, chilli, garlic, rosemary give that classic Italian taste, a little honey for that…
Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Vegetables
This is the type of dish my Nonna or my mother would have made years ago. A cheap cut of meat mixed with all sorts of vegetables, garlic, herbs and spices, left to cook away while other jobs were done. This is an easy, one pan recipe that always delivers. Lamb shoulder is one of…
Barbecued Prawns with Citrus Gremolata
Perfect for sunny days, there’s nothing quite like a prawn (shrimp) on the barbecue to keep everyone happy. These are marinated in garlic, lemon and chilli, then topped with a lemon and orange gremolata, that provides a zingy flavor that takes the humble prawn to the next level. Usually, the longer you marinade food before…
Crispy Tuscan Pork Belly
There isn’t anything much better that juicy, tender pork with crispy skin. This roast pork belly is absolutely delicious! The meat is juicy and succulent, flavoured with the Tuscan herbs that create the famous Italian Porchetta – fennel, rosemary, thyme and garlic. The secret to perfect crispy crackle is to get organized and let the…
Cacciatore Sausages
Every Italian family has their own recipe for making sausages. This is mine. My family would rear a pig especially for the annual family sausage-making ritual, a two-day event that was as much a family get together as it was a sausage-making process. A great Italian sausage is judged by the balance of seasonings and…
Best Ever Meatballs
I know that’s quite a statement, but seriously, these are amazing. Packed with flavour, what makes these meatballs so good is how juicy and moist they are. This secret family recipe not only makes incredible meatballs to eat with pasta but can be the basis of many other meals. Eat them on their own as…
Pollo al Mattone – Barbecued Chicken Under a Brick
Whether you cook a chicken on the barbecue or in the oven, butterflying it speeds up the cooking process by half. By butterflying I mean to remove the backbone and flatten it out. It’s easy to do with a good pair of kitchen scissors, and if I’m honest I find it strangely enjoyable. To make…
One Pan Roasted Chicken Pieces with Potatoes, Garlic, Lemon and Herbs
This is one of my all-time favourite throw-together meals. Growing up, if pasta wasn’t on our table, then this probably was. I make this at least once a week for my family because it’s a winner every time. The chicken comes out crispy and full of flavour, and the potatoes suck up all of the…
